tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85141657913452725072024-02-07T17:22:17.845-08:00Wrighter's BlockThe Work and Musings of a Self-Proclaimed WriterDavid Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386877023229490695noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514165791345272507.post-54676812082613157822020-04-22T19:57:00.002-07:002020-04-22T20:02:14.709-07:00Book 3: Progress Report - April 2020I guess it's been about 10 months since my last post here. In it, I made note that in April of 2019 I wrote an astonishing 23,000 words in the third book of my Galahad's Doom trilogy of novels. I said I would likely never break that record.<br />
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Well, I almost did. In January of 2020, I wrote 22,000 words. That's 45,000 in just two months. The problem is, naturally, I wrote precisely 0 words in all the months in between. That's 8 months, May through December, of making no progress.<br />
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I do actually have a good excuse for that: I didn't have a computer.<br />
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I mean, yeah, I had our desktop unit at home, but I can't really write sitting at a desk. I have to get comfortable with a laptop. And we had two of them. And we lost them both at the same time.<br />
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The little micro laptop I had bought years ago, choosing its compact size for long flights in coach, died. I wrote both "My Brother's Keeper" and "Marching As To War" on that computer. I guess I rode it into the ground. After writing over 20,000 words in April, the power supply burnt up. I mean it BURNT. Literally, smoke was pouring out of the back of the computer.<br />
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I was fortunate to have not lost all my work at that point. How I ended up saving it all is worthy of its own post. Maybe I'll write it up soon.<br />
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The other laptop, our main one for the household, was lost to an unfortunate accident involving cooking oil. I don't know the details. I just know if someone is listening to YouTube in the kitchen while cooking dinner, maybe it doesn't have to right next to them on the counter. Maybe. Just an idea.<br />
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Turns out, cooking oil is not good for laptops. We tried to keep using it, but more and more keys on the keyboard quit working. And after having it on your lap for a few minutes, your pants would be soaked in cooking oil.<br />
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So it had to go. Both of those laptop losses came at the very end of April. And it was not until the Christmas shopping season that we bought ourselves another one. So finally in December, I read back over what I had done and spent some time plotting and planning so that I'd be ready to write in January. That was my clear New Year's resolution: get back on the book and finish strong.<br />
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I was literally writing at the stroke of midnight on January 1.<br />
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I blew through nearly 40 scenes in January and completed the entire Second Act of the book. I got all the way to the threshold of the Third Act where I knew I needed to start bringing characters together and delivering payoffs to long threaded storylines.<br />
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I froze up after that. I wasn't sure of the specific story beats. I needed to choreograph the action to maximize the scope and impact of the final Act of the entire trilogy. It was a little bit of stage fright, but it was also largely a logic problem of how to get from where I ended up at the end of the Act II to how to get to the specific ideas I had for the very end.<br />
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In the end, the characters saved me. I simply started asking them some questions. They each reminded me of their unique motivations and agendas. And the cool thing about knowing the goals and personalities of your characters is that once they start interacting, the scenes will write themselves. Just let 'em go and see where they take you.<br />
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So here I am in April of 2020 in the midst of the coronavirus lockdown and I have solved Act III. I've got all the beats mapped out and I have cool stuff for everyone to do and hopefully a couple of surprises along the way. I am THIS CLOSE to finishing the Galahad's Doom trilogy.<br />
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And lemme tell ya, this third book flies by so fast. Just non-stop action. From the first page, it's a race to the conclusion. And I'm really happy in particular with Orion, Glamis and Darkswift. They have never been truer to the essence of their respective characters. Orion is a bard and gets to do VERY bard-y things. In fact, I'd say his whole story in this book is a proper bard's adventure in its own right. Glamis is a wizard and gets to do VERY wizard-y things. And while Darkswift is basically a ninja and was perhaps more ninja-y in the second novel, don't forget that he is the Slayer and has been training in that role the whole time. And in this third book, he very much gets to be the Slayer.<br />
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I can't wait for you to read it.<br />
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I have done some recent character drawings. I've got new art of Galen, Mary, Darkswift and Sir Elias. I'll share those soon. And I'll tell the story of how I almost lost the first 40,000 words of the book when my laptop basically caught on fire.<br />
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<br />David Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386877023229490695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514165791345272507.post-27476532714711082402019-06-03T04:51:00.003-07:002019-06-03T04:51:59.834-07:00Book 3 Progress Report - MayApril was a record month that I am likely to never break.<br />
In my last post, I made the mistake of drafting it before the last day of the month. My actual total word count for April ended up at an astonishing 23,000 words.<br />
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I...did not match that in May. In May, I wrote exactly 0 words.<br />
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This was mostly on purpose. I made a deliberate choice to take some time off and not get caught up in trying to maintain the pace.<br />
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On two days (just two), I attempted to put together a scene and I discovered for the first time since probably February, I wasn't exactly sure how to present a certain scene. I want to get back to writing in June, but I've got some logic to figure out for the first couple of scenes. So I'll set a humble goal for myself of 3,000 words for the month and we'll see how I do.<br />
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I have, however, done some more character art. I will get these scanned in and post them here.<br />
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And, lastly, in other news:<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Marching-As-War-Galahads-Doom/dp/1976156653/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=">Galahad's Doom Book II: Marching As to War</a> has finally received its first review. Please <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Marching-As-War-Galahads-Doom/dp/1976156653/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=">check it out.</a><br />
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<br />David Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386877023229490695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514165791345272507.post-85361252322139248512019-04-29T20:05:00.002-07:002019-04-29T20:05:16.541-07:00Book 3 Progress Report - AprilFolks, April was by far the most productive month of writing I've ever had. I can't believe what I accomplished this month. I set a personal record that is likely never to be beaten. Whereas in March, I was excited to report I had written 8,000 words, in April I almost tripled that.<br />
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My word total for April is an astounding 21,800 words.<br />
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My mind boggles at that number. This puts the entire manuscript around 47,000 and I'm quickly rushing towards the climax of the second act. I was at 17k at the end of February, 25k at the end of March, and now I've suddenly jumped up to 46,800.<br />
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The entire story has just unlocked for me. I can see the whole thing so clearly that I'm actually writing the book in sequence. I usually write out multiple scenes of a given storyline at once and then work on sequencing all of it later. But in this case, I already know how it "cuts together". And for the whole month, I just couldn't stop. I've never experienced anything like it.<br />
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At this rate, I could have the draft done by the end of June. I don't expect that to happen, mind you. This pace is certainly not sustainable. But, man, it feels good.<br />
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I've also drawn quite a few character sketches recently. I'll try to share those soon in an upcoming post.<br />
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If you haven't checked out my <a href="http://whiterocketbooks.com/galengriffon/" target="_blank">Galahad's Doom</a> series, <a href="http://whiterocketbooks.com/galengriffon/" target="_blank">give it a shot!</a>David Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386877023229490695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514165791345272507.post-23199491134895833962019-03-30T20:26:00.004-07:002019-03-30T20:28:55.031-07:00Great Book 3 Progress in MarchI've had another extremely productive month working on the final book in my trilogy.<br />
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As I stated in my previous post, I hope to provide monthly updates here.<br />
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I'm excited to report that the manuscript currently sits at 25,000 words. Up from 17K at the end of February, that works out to a solid 2,000 words per week.<br />
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Right now, the ideas are just flowing. The book has totally come together in my mind. All the details just totally unlocked for me. I have written the first eight chapters and I have every scene mapped and sequenced through Chapter 20. That will get me all the way up to the final climatic scene.<br />
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If I can maintain this pace, I should have the first draft done this year. Considering the last book just came out six months ago, this is an absolutely blistering rate for me and easily my most productive stretch in my 12 years of writing. There was a four year wait between <i>My Brother's Keeper </i>and <i>Marching As to War</i>. I am committed to making sure that doesn't happen again. Right now, it's looking like it will be less than two years. Maybe less than a year and a half.<br />
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And if you've enjoyed my first two books, you are going to love this one. Everything is coming together so beautifully, it's going to look like I knew what I was doing the whole time.<br />
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Galen Griffon will return in</div>
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<b><i>Galahad's Doom Book III: The Armor of God</i></b></div>
David Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386877023229490695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514165791345272507.post-64811746810847731322019-02-28T19:59:00.001-08:002019-02-28T19:59:39.272-08:00Book 3 Progress ReportI hope everyone is enjoying my second book in the <a href="http://whiterocketbooks.com/galengriffon/" target="_blank">Galahad's Doom series,</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Marching-As-War-Galahads-Doom/dp/1976156653" target="_blank">Marching As To War</a>. I have been pleased with the number of books that have sold, but there has yet to be a review left on Amazon. I ask of you two things if you have read it: reach out to me and let's talk about it. I love that direct feedback and enjoy talking story details and characters with my readers. The second thing is: please leave a review! They help tremendously with raising the profile of the book on Amazon.<br />
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For those of you who have indeed read the first two books, I have what I hope you'll agree is some exciting news.<br />
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I have made enormous progress on the third and final book of the trilogy. I am thrilled to say that as of today, the last day of February 2019, I have already passed 17,000 words on it. This represents the entire first act of the novel. At this rate, the book could be ready next year. There was a four year gap between the first two books and I'm focused on making sure the wait isn't nearly that long this time.<br />
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I'm also extremely pleased with how good those 17,000 words are. With so many things in motion at the end of the second book, it was easy to really hit the ground running. I know these characters so well now, everything is just flowing. This is going to be one action-packed book. So much stuff happening at once.<br />
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Tell ya what, I'm so pleased with the opening act of Book 3, I'll make this deal with you. If you reach out to me and provide me with enough specific feedback that I know you've read <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Marching-As-War-Galahads-Doom/dp/1976156653" target="_blank">Marching As To War</a> AND you leave an Amazon review, I will privately send you the first three chapters of the next book for free as an extremely advanced sneak preview. My gmail address is galengriffon _at_ gmail dot com.<br />
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That's all for now. I intend to check in at the end of each month this year with an update on my word count, as a way to keep me accountable. If I can keep this pace, the first draft could be done by the summer.<br />
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Galen Griffon will return in<br />
<b>Galahad's Doom Part III: The Armor of God</b>.<br />
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<br />David Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386877023229490695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514165791345272507.post-39344427632290685452018-10-04T10:45:00.000-07:002018-10-04T10:53:28.108-07:00Galahad's Doom featured in local newspaperThe local weekly newspaper in Phenix City, Alabama has a feature on me in this week's edition.<br />
If you aren't able to pick up an actual newspaper (suitable for framing), you can still <a href="http://citizenofeastalabama.com/latest/david-wright-reconciles-faith-with-his-fantasy-books/" target="_blank">read the article online. </a><br />
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Many thanks to Toni Stauffer and everyone at The Citizen of East Alabama for taking an interest in one of your local writers.<br />
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To everyone visiting this blog after reading the article, I invite you to click through the history of previous posts here and feel free to reach out to me with any questions or comments. I'm excited by the story I'm telling and I hope you'll check out the books and then let me know what you thought of them.<br />
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<span style="font-family: , "helvetica neue light" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "lucida grande" , sans-serif; font-size: 21.97px;"><a href="http://www.whiterocketbooks.com/galengriffon/index.htm" target="_blank">Acts 17: 20 “You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.”</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: , "helvetica neue light" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "lucida grande" , sans-serif; font-size: 21.97px;"><br /></span>David Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386877023229490695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514165791345272507.post-86409784560032887172018-08-20T14:05:00.000-07:002018-08-21T07:06:10.232-07:00Book 2's Cover Design<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Marching-As-War-Galahads-Doom/dp/1976156653/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" target="_blank">Marching As To War</a>, the second book in the <a href="http://www.whiterocketbooks.com/galengriffon/index.htm" target="_blank">Galahad's Doom</a> series, is now available. Check my earlier entry for more information.<br />
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But today, I wanted to provide a glimpse of the design process behind the cover.</div>
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At first, I thought about only showcasing two characters on the cover in order to provide symmetry with the first book. But then I decided that I'm only ever going to have so many book covers and I didn't want to pass on a chance to show depictions of more characters.</div>
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I always knew this second chapter would be the darkest book in the cycle. The Second Act is always where the bad guys win and all seems lost for our hero. So with that in mind, I knew I wanted to show off the bad guys.</div>
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So I sketched out very roughly my composition idea. Nothing groundbreaking about it. It's very common in fantasy to basically have two or three characters pose for portraits. But with this sketch, I made the decision that we would see Queen Azzrea and Maphael on either side (both characters familiar to readers of the first book), with the new villain featured in the middle. He's new to this book but Dark Lord Iscariot's name is given away in the promotional blurb. But you'll have to read the book to know more about him.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjok_uvKGrnnVdEvyC3X2rw31H3Uh6cEcM6QnmEr-yeDfA7by4WnqW7WDQUqisk2T2TjeVT7VdiITRbQoijomhfTtbAGI2eFLDXt-J6_T205T0_qMmcypDXoDNEmjvlA-7VMhyphenhyphen4GlHArA2z/s1600/MATW_Sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="478" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjok_uvKGrnnVdEvyC3X2rw31H3Uh6cEcM6QnmEr-yeDfA7by4WnqW7WDQUqisk2T2TjeVT7VdiITRbQoijomhfTtbAGI2eFLDXt-J6_T205T0_qMmcypDXoDNEmjvlA-7VMhyphenhyphen4GlHArA2z/s320/MATW_Sketch.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
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The general idea is there from this first sketch, particularly the serrated sword prominent in the foreground. But what should also be noted is that I had precious few ideas for costume details. All I knew is Maphael needed to be in quasi-military noble's garb, but I made him look like a member of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.</div>
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So I decided to take it a step further and do a mock up with pre-existing art stolen without remorse from random Google searches. I looked primarily for character archetypes that fit what I had in mind, and ended up settling for a photograph to stand in for Azzrea. The primary purpose of this over my sketch was to play with color palette and tone.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtM98tvmHVRzOFckocf8gWw1fI8oEvASXC04NjChRBFZyXQ5cmrHhZkIiQXWLBR0PR3Adt6AKDl3XYg-mWvuowr9cVA-U5saq1HVXB-oXxh1As-mxvlK6XX-3XuVFVPdP2ibLEt7qbzXM/s1600/MATW_mockup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="461" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtM98tvmHVRzOFckocf8gWw1fI8oEvASXC04NjChRBFZyXQ5cmrHhZkIiQXWLBR0PR3Adt6AKDl3XYg-mWvuowr9cVA-U5saq1HVXB-oXxh1As-mxvlK6XX-3XuVFVPdP2ibLEt7qbzXM/s320/MATW_mockup.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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At this point, it was time to get my artist involved. I reached out to artist Mark Aaron Williams and told him what I was looking for. Then I gave him the news that I hope he'd take as a creative challenge. I told him I didn't really know what these characters looked like. Let me rephrase: I didn't know what their costume details were. I totally handed over to Mark the freedom to interpret and invent their looks based on my written descriptions of their characters and their roles in the story.</div>
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But I did give him celebrities to use, not as likenesses, but as inspiration.</div>
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First for Azzrea, I suggested Morena Baccarin and provided these pictures:</div>
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For Maphael, I had in mind a pale, sunken-eyed version of Luke Evans.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYaiUrljoIjDjY_emQ6bpmUVx-DIEN46DlW0QxvBN2Tzt8Y1AcCS86W9cJVO9DHOMVBve1xRu2IfaaUGxJmSZojTK2xnYPOQyDJRLf9ZbbdIvflt_-dQO3p-3cVh_xvLWGRXUd7jvGKcL/s1600/EvansMaphael2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="236" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYaiUrljoIjDjY_emQ6bpmUVx-DIEN46DlW0QxvBN2Tzt8Y1AcCS86W9cJVO9DHOMVBve1xRu2IfaaUGxJmSZojTK2xnYPOQyDJRLf9ZbbdIvflt_-dQO3p-3cVh_xvLWGRXUd7jvGKcL/s320/EvansMaphael2.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLrsxrFtkrmIkCd6G2TDEvCKvA2ricKfw1PlzlxgkcfUBCF3U7HnwN-5HR2AppJ2Iu9BLvzIa_axgoNPkv1013ZYe8Ctf2I0RUNMjdv5YeUELgAmkVUNFI1EBtqZTlCp9l0gabfqe49mj/s1600/EvansMaphael1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="491" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLrsxrFtkrmIkCd6G2TDEvCKvA2ricKfw1PlzlxgkcfUBCF3U7HnwN-5HR2AppJ2Iu9BLvzIa_axgoNPkv1013ZYe8Ctf2I0RUNMjdv5YeUELgAmkVUNFI1EBtqZTlCp9l0gabfqe49mj/s320/EvansMaphael1.jpg" width="194" /></a></div>
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For Iscariot, I could think of no one better than musician Henry Rollins to convey that no-nonsense intensity that demands to be the center of gravity in any scene.</div>
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Then Mark went to work, taking my sketches and these celebrity inspirations and adding his own flare. I cannot tell you how much of a thrill it was for me to get the artwork back and see how someone else imagined my characters. Mark absolutely nailed everyone of these. All the detail work in the costumes is 100% Mark's imagination. But there were a couple of changes I requested from his first drafts. First,Iscariot with the long hair of a rock star (probably taking a cue from my mockup above). I loved the look, but the story I wrote required a soldier's crew cut some scars:</div>
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It's worth noting that Mark rendered all of this in 3D digital art. This means he could create 3D models of the characters and then move the virtual camera around them for the exact angle he wanted. After choosing that, he composited the models together.</div>
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NOTE: You can click on any of these images for a bigger, closer look.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5RBjQbO12n7uX89rGtLWyGrj_7c2fvQy-GFgEKdMIeuaY65-LKPEeOMP-B79drgXvvMLcV6Myb61Kx-Na3zt7YoYlyjvzTgWTFI1e5kgL5Kbu7zMJLxN_8ctql_doLq-6-4MY5K-7WdK/s1600/azzrea+pose2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="906" data-original-width="1600" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5RBjQbO12n7uX89rGtLWyGrj_7c2fvQy-GFgEKdMIeuaY65-LKPEeOMP-B79drgXvvMLcV6Myb61Kx-Na3zt7YoYlyjvzTgWTFI1e5kgL5Kbu7zMJLxN_8ctql_doLq-6-4MY5K-7WdK/s320/azzrea+pose2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You see there the earliest stage character model for who would become Azzrea. After finalizing the look, camera angle and lighting on Iscariot, Mark went about designing Azzrea's look:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mu3OFjkMs2MjCDF2HMNPMT35odM2fvgIP132B-ak3eQcJl2LMi5got46hqc0y6nNFMC44mO5Rb4Kb0QQF8q05yzMQ9-1T2scL6eatFtCIesnk9mERk4EMPs96JMuOqaDoDpa5rYUP7qH/s1600/EarlyAzzrea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="872" data-original-width="555" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mu3OFjkMs2MjCDF2HMNPMT35odM2fvgIP132B-ak3eQcJl2LMi5got46hqc0y6nNFMC44mO5Rb4Kb0QQF8q05yzMQ9-1T2scL6eatFtCIesnk9mERk4EMPs96JMuOqaDoDpa5rYUP7qH/s320/EarlyAzzrea.jpg" width="203" /></a></div>
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Azzrea is an evil queen, but I wanted to avoid the clichéd look of, say, a Morticia Addams. And she didn't necessarily need to have a dress at all, but I needed a look that was powerful and feminine. This first draft above gave me that tough look, and I liked the flared jacket that recalled a skirt without being one. But she looked too much like a scraper and not enough like a queen. So Mark came back with this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHGOovOgwmenqqS72AWBwwWWz_UcbxT4EHfHgYGOiLOqKfJ5iQIReZe21CGHzfvaWYp0D19wT8N9dzLbeM65TkozOK_OGYMc87REXoBE3s3Gl4Xdl5wp20i29C8aNDmMJ9jS3z2m2wTLm/s1600/Azzrea2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1119" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHGOovOgwmenqqS72AWBwwWWz_UcbxT4EHfHgYGOiLOqKfJ5iQIReZe21CGHzfvaWYp0D19wT8N9dzLbeM65TkozOK_OGYMc87REXoBE3s3Gl4Xdl5wp20i29C8aNDmMJ9jS3z2m2wTLm/s320/Azzrea2.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
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This draft was much better and I started really getting excited about what Mark was doing. The costume details really screamed character. But it was too much skin. I knew this was a villain, but it was still a little too risque for the tone I wanted. As a compromise, Mark covered her up with mesh and criss-crossed with solid straps of material. He then added the crown and jewelry to bring home that queen-like quality. Beautiful work. And 100% to Mark's credit. I had no specific ideas for Azzrea and he really brought her to life:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwq7I2R3DOq2pPEPazy7vkvtS2uMEsKzmb6epPxm6RSrZJn7e8CaYDfJNY_wrkILT5NMY17-7UlbJuWwYpJO4i-Du8Q0nVmCb1tHYW2aoNGfdiVVQqyKeSJscFb7_O1zoClQNkwRFOOU-Y/s1600/Azzrea3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1119" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwq7I2R3DOq2pPEPazy7vkvtS2uMEsKzmb6epPxm6RSrZJn7e8CaYDfJNY_wrkILT5NMY17-7UlbJuWwYpJO4i-Du8Q0nVmCb1tHYW2aoNGfdiVVQqyKeSJscFb7_O1zoClQNkwRFOOU-Y/s320/Azzrea3.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
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Maphael came together a lot more quickly. Mark pretty much nailed him from the get-go:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTpL-nsJgLx-L93v8kx3O5M-yu4_S2VB6sJS8ljaiwDABvOrjgLXTr30NcyDkYdgPaWboaTja11hopRdh9yWeb6sAPW3lhQxHEP-Z0qos2CMJzfs0sTIzo3AoekNInzRlz3AhRxabk6J1/s1600/MaphaelRough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="839" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTpL-nsJgLx-L93v8kx3O5M-yu4_S2VB6sJS8ljaiwDABvOrjgLXTr30NcyDkYdgPaWboaTja11hopRdh9yWeb6sAPW3lhQxHEP-Z0qos2CMJzfs0sTIzo3AoekNInzRlz3AhRxabk6J1/s320/MaphaelRough.jpg" width="167" /></a></div>
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The only change I asked for him was to reposition his hands. The final version has him clutching a lock of hair to his chest. Then Mark put it all together with the background image he painted and gave us the final image we all love today:</div>
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And there's a peek at the creative process behind the cover to <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Marching-As-War-Galahads-Doom/dp/1976156653/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" target="_blank">Galahad's Doom II: Marching As To War. </a></div>
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I hope you enjoyed it and I hope you'll check out my <a href="http://series./">series.</a><a href="http://www.whiterocketbooks.com/galengriffon/index.htm" target="_blank">http://www.whiterocketbooks.com/galengriffon/index.htm</a> </div>
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David Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386877023229490695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514165791345272507.post-505453123313554662018-08-17T10:20:00.003-07:002018-08-17T10:22:30.855-07:00NOW AVAILABLE!! Galahad's Doom Part II: Marching As to War It thrills me to announce the second book in my series is now available in paperback and Kindle formats. I know it's been a long time. It still took over a year after a successful GoFundMe campaign and the final cover design. I plan on being a lot more active on this blog and will spend future post digging into the journey this book to get to market.<br />
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For those of you who contributed to GoFundMe, your copies will processed and shipped out as quickly as I can do it. Right now, I'm still waiting on my inventory copies to show up.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.whiterocketbooks.com/galengriffon/index.htm" target="_blank">Galahad's Doom page</a> on my publisher's website has the press releases for both books, you can go <a href="http://www.whiterocketbooks.com/galengriffon/index.htm" target="_blank">there</a> and check them out.<br />
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And you can find both <a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-Brothers-Keeper-Galahads-Doom/dp/0692204032" target="_blank">My Brother's Keeper</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Marching-As-War-Galahads-Doom/dp/1976156653/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" target="_blank">Marching as to War</a> on Amazon. I hope you'll check them out and let me know what you think. And, as always, I need your Amazon reviews!<br />
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The cover spotlight goes to the villains in this darker middle chapter of my trilogy, but the story remains one of Christianity existing in fantasy world. The inspiration for this story came to me in 1997 after reading Ephesians 6.<br />
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It's exciting for me to continue this story, working once again with familiar characters and introducing new ones. Hopefully, the story goes in directions that will surprise you, but I can promise once the action gets started in this one, it never stops.<br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #660000; font-family: Calibri;">Invasion. War. Darkness. These are the Beginning of Sorrows.</b></div>
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A mysterious knight born in the depths of Hell</div>
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leads an army of beasts and demons as they march to a single goal: </div>
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Conquest.</div>
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For the glory of the Serpent, all that is Good must fall.</div>
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But as war engulfs the kingdom, Galen Griffon begins a journey of discovery</div>
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that could represent the world’s only hope.</div>
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Sworn into the knighthood of the Church, Galen is thrust onto a quest and told to save the world. Upon this journey he must face his deepest fears, </div>
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discover his father’s tragic secret and reunite with his beloved Ariana</div>
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in time to save the kingdom.</div>
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Queen Azzrea has sent her new champion, Dark Lord Iscariot, to the front lines of war.</div>
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Armies and cities fall before him. Hosts of demons swarm over the realm.</div>
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In this storm of violence and fear and darkness, a single light flickers. </div>
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The Angelic brand on Galen’s arm and the fruit grove of a secluded monastery</div>
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may unlock the desperate secret to survival.</div>
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<br />David Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386877023229490695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514165791345272507.post-37580351502451092872017-01-05T20:25:00.000-08:002017-01-05T20:25:03.185-08:00Happy 2017, New ReadersI was blessed enough to sell a few copies of <i>My Brother's Keeper</i> during the Christmas season. If you are one of those new readers, thank you for your support. I hope you have enjoyed it and I look forward to hearing from you.<br />
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I am excited about 2017, because the second book in the series, <i>Marching As To War</i>, is on track for a summer release. I have just recently completed another editorial pass over the entire manuscript and I'm very pleased with how it flows. I am going to probably do my most revision work on the first chapter, because I feel like I can still improve it.<br />
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I can't wait for everyone who has read the first book to get their hands on the second.<br />
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A bit of news this week, I was contacted by the local newspaper here in Columbus, GA and I was interviewed for the "Faith" section in this Sunday's edition. I should be the featured story in that section and hopefully it will succeed in spreading the word a bit.<br />
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If you are finding this blog for the first time, please know that I'm always open to your questions, comments, praise, criticisms (*cough* andpositiveAmazonreviews *cough*).<br />
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I will use this space in the coming weeks and months to keep you updated on the status of the next book and answer any questions that may come in. I also have a bit of an art gallery I've developed to help me visualize the characters. I will try to go through those drawings and post them from time to time.David Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386877023229490695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514165791345272507.post-11485589069927458532016-10-20T20:27:00.001-07:002016-10-20T20:27:15.410-07:00Sci-Fi Fantasy Fest appearance<br />
This weekend, I will be a guest at the 2nd Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Fest at the Hoover, Alabama public library.<br />
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I don't do as many of these types of shows as I'd like. Maybe once the second novel in the series is out, I can focus on marketing and creating a strong table presence.<br />
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But I hope some of you that meet me this weekend in Hoover will check me out here. I plan on making this blog the main conduit between myself, my readers and those that wish to support me.<br />
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So to any new folks that may read this: welcome. I hope you enjoy the first book in the series <i>My Brother's Keeper. </i><br />
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Here's a look at the postcard flyer I will be giving out this weekend:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2gViYvHug4qjsf_lG_OsDSJefwa9orP-ZIe5uLjohn-Xxh2MOrFGkJcmKjkSC6R136NVZ0x4QTJtaynwUGcCO-2Jyp7wVy5Xo1kfohQ2eJ27HzJKVj7xGqf8JwkRjdRsdukg8TVH4kg8/s1600/GDCard_3_flat.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2gViYvHug4qjsf_lG_OsDSJefwa9orP-ZIe5uLjohn-Xxh2MOrFGkJcmKjkSC6R136NVZ0x4QTJtaynwUGcCO-2Jyp7wVy5Xo1kfohQ2eJ27HzJKVj7xGqf8JwkRjdRsdukg8TVH4kg8/s640/GDCard_3_flat.jpg" width="640" /></a>David Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386877023229490695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514165791345272507.post-83644197349012160222016-10-20T20:18:00.001-07:002016-10-20T20:18:48.271-07:00Galahad's Doom Part II Update<br />
I know it's been inexcusably too long since I last updated this blog, but I do plan on being better going forward. I promise to post something at least once a week, if you promise to keep coming back and checking it out. Okay?<br />
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Cool.<br />
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So what's going on with my series? I can tell you that I spent 2015 and the first half of 2016 really focused on writing the second volume. <i>Galahad's Doom Part II: Marching As To War </i>has made it past the first draft stage. I can announce that it is in the hands of my editor and we will get it out as soon as we can. Realistically, that's probably Spring 2017.<br />
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I'm really excited with how it came out and can't wait for everyone who read <i>My Brother's Keeper </i> to check it out. I can tell you it is loaded down with action and hopefully there's a few surprises along the way.<br />
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And while my editor rips apart my manuscript, I've also been turning my thoughts for the first time towards the concluding third volume. I have several pages in a composition notebook already filled and I'm already excited by some new ideas I've had.<br />
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So if you haven't read the first book yet, <a href="http://whiterocketbooks.com/galengriffon/" target="_blank">go ahead and do that.</a> Then stay tuned to this blog for not only all important details and announcements going forward but also for thoughts about the story and characters that I will share in future posts.<br />
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Here is a look at my first preliminary sketch for my cover idea for <i>Part II:</i><br />
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<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdbX7C0SQUb9vlWCOuXIiMIqL9pFkNbTEMz6Cy1doedet8fxMqH2f4oTl7wCbClxlg4mECzPDlYkivH0iX88K9cicOeYC_9ix49DMKjgwE5gA-G2pjB3X9KXu8gv9k3GXVJo1NxxOJrKM/s1600/Bk2sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdbX7C0SQUb9vlWCOuXIiMIqL9pFkNbTEMz6Cy1doedet8fxMqH2f4oTl7wCbClxlg4mECzPDlYkivH0iX88K9cicOeYC_9ix49DMKjgwE5gA-G2pjB3X9KXu8gv9k3GXVJo1NxxOJrKM/s320/Bk2sketch.jpg" width="258" /></a></i><br />
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And here is a rough mock-up I put together in Photoshop based on that sketch. Please understand, this is NOT (notnotNOT) the actual cover. I grabbed pre-existing artwork off the internet, using general character archetypes. It's just to help with design ideas.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7zfLkWrIJt1_KH-fn3X1JA0kdJf_G3UoS7bdK88rPgv20459wugc7ozCxkgqflUsvj1xQHTi4DidyJowTccoExSZxR5mSBSY4YRu22P7Otbk6cajGiyBqSEoytNc3HMtqV3pUxlbZlsO/s1600/Bk2Mock.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7zfLkWrIJt1_KH-fn3X1JA0kdJf_G3UoS7bdK88rPgv20459wugc7ozCxkgqflUsvj1xQHTi4DidyJowTccoExSZxR5mSBSY4YRu22P7Otbk6cajGiyBqSEoytNc3HMtqV3pUxlbZlsO/s320/Bk2Mock.jpg" width="268" /></a><br />
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The two folks on the left and right are standing in for Queen Azzrea and Lord Maphael, characters that readers of <i>Brother's Keeper </i>should know. The tough warrior guy in the middle? Yeah, you'll have to read <i>Marching As To War </i>to figure that one out. Again, I will commission original artwork that depicts my characters accurately. This is just a rough design sketch.<br />
<br />David Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386877023229490695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514165791345272507.post-34324397413960596232015-01-11T19:15:00.003-08:002015-01-11T19:15:45.840-08:00I'm on a PodcastI was a guest on the White Rocket podcast a little while ago. My publisher, Van Plexico, conducted this 45-minute radio style interview.<br />
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So please feel free to <a href="http://whiterocket.podbean.com/e/white-rocket-052-my-brothers-keeper-david-wright/" target="_blank">take a listen</a> and cringe along with me at the sound of my voice.<br />
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And in other news, the Kindle version of "My Brother's Keeper" is just around the corner so be sure to look for that announcement soon.<br />
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David Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386877023229490695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514165791345272507.post-87673428886131148402014-10-13T08:01:00.000-07:002014-10-13T08:01:28.070-07:00A New Interview<a href="http://atomicanxiety.com/2014/10/13/atomic-interview-30-talking-my-brothers-keeper-with-david-wright/" target="_blank">Atomic Anxiety</a> has published a new interview with me about "My Brother's Keeper". I encourage everyone to give it a read and help me spread the word by sharing the link with everybody. You can find the interview <a href="http://atomicanxiety.com/2014/10/13/atomic-interview-30-talking-my-brothers-keeper-with-david-wright/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Also, a reminder to any and all of my readers: reviews are appreciated and my mailbox is open, I'd love to hear from you. You can email me at galengriffon at gmail dot com.<br />
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Thank you!<br />
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<br />David Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386877023229490695noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514165791345272507.post-84822235411416946912014-06-22T12:10:00.005-07:002014-06-22T12:10:52.087-07:00Hero's Best Friend<br />
I have been developing the fictional setting of my <i>Galahad's Doom </i>stories for years. But <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Brothers-Keeper-Galahads-Doom-Volume/dp/0692204032/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403463799&sr=8-1&keywords=galahad%27s+doom" target="_blank"><i>My Brother's Keeper</i></a> is not the first time this setting has appeared in print.<br />
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Beating it to publication by a mere three months, is a short story of mine called <i>Wind of Change</i> that appeared in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Heros-Best-Friend-Anthology-Companions/dp/1937929515/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403463836&sr=8-1&keywords=hero%27s+best+friend" target="_blank"><i>Hero's Best Friend</i></a> from Seventh Star Press. It is an anthology themed around animal companions.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjmNPt6GFETAvM8YpqZZmfLldt_SztP7tAFJsE8JGaenGGDMuNj5nb5Oi0v50l08rSYtmO8tliyvg3xqxLmPOCaMrgCj8pcSmxJtUUvMUnlTjUPpC0gAvSAxfbr-m3M9S3_D2kcAwOXk6/s1600/FInal-HerosBestFriend.jpg" height="320" width="229" /></div>
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When I discovered the open call for submissions for this book in February of 2013, I knew immediately which character I would want to use if I could think of a story.<br />
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Two of my favorite supporting characters in the novel are a Native American-type warrior and his red-tail hawk companion. And I had been keeping my ear out for open calls that might inspire me to write some ancillary short stories related to my novels.<br />
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Clearly, I had the perfect character on which to base my story. But I didn't have an idea. How could I write a story based on Kaja, the hawk, without reducing it to some sort of cartoon with the hawk capable of speech or at internal dialogue?<br />
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How could I match the tone of my novel?<br />
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More importantly, could I somehow keep a spiritual bent to it that would resonate with the theme of my book?<br />
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Months passed and an idea never came. The deadline was June 30. On June 16, it came to me. I wasn't trying to think of it, it just popped in my head. I would tell a prequel story. An origin story of how my Native American-type warrior and his hawk sidekick first met.<br />
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Then a couple of other ideas quickly fell into place. This story would be where their bond was explained, where their limited ability to communicate would be explained. And when I realized there was already a ready-made way to introduce the spiritual aspect of things to the world of a hawk, I had my story.<br />
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I finished it in two days. It is very short, barely reaching the required minimum of 2000 words. But I am very pleased with how it came out. It hit all the marks I wanted it to hit and I was able to write the hawk story without making him anthropomorphic in any way.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Heros-Best-Friend-Anthology-Companions/dp/1937929515/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403463836&sr=8-1&keywords=hero%27s+best+friend" target="_blank"><i>Hero's Best Friend</i></a> is a thick volume of about twenty stories by various authors, told in various styles. It was published in February 2014 and earned the right to be known as the world debut of the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Brothers-Keeper-Galahads-Doom-Volume/dp/0692204032/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403463799&sr=8-1&keywords=galahad%27s+doom" target="_blank"><i>Galahad's Doom</i></a> setting.<br />
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And speaking of hawks, the week my novel was published I had a close encounter with one. I was fortunate enough to have my camera with me. Enjoy!<br />
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<br />David Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386877023229490695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514165791345272507.post-53250977079019263352014-06-21T19:09:00.000-07:002014-06-21T19:13:36.764-07:00A Successful Debut for "My Brother's Keeper"I see from my tracking numbers that I've had quite a few visitors to this blog. First, thank you and, second, keep checking back. I do plan on keeping this blog active. It was dormant for a couple of weeks while I have endured an insanely busy stretch. We have been short staffed at my day job, requiring extra effort from us and I have been blessed enough to pick up some extra moonlight assignments. I'm happy for it, but it does leave me out of contact with the rest of the world.<br />
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But I'm back, so let me tell you a bit more about debuting the book at the Alabama Phoenix Festival.<br />
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The convention was a success. I sold a moderate, but satisfying, amount of copies. <br />
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The best thing about doing the convention was the chance to spend time with fellow writers and meet indie publishers. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bobby-Nash/e/B002QJ8QQS/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1403402636&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Bobby Nash</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sean-Taylor/e/B002QW6XNS/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_6" target="_blank">Sean Taylor</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/James-Palmer/e/B004QVULIK/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_6" target="_blank">James Palmer</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tommy-Hancock/e/B004WMB16O/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_6" target="_blank">Tommy Hancock</a> are all writers I respect and hope to get to know better in the years ahead. I also met Jonathan French and look forward to reading his <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Exiled-Heir-Autumns-Volume/dp/0988284502/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403402519&sr=8-1&keywords=Exiled+Heir" target="_blank">Exiled Heir</a> series.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8S_llSeiZAgmqU9G96UzPagrnhCvxvDzfXpaO-9BwweJnswVuYiM_lXT54xhdi6yki5h1haTaby82FTvpxC_Z5IB-9uTkQf1kHTQGsOoHzFCUvgo0xZjpMgiIJFusDJ-pcypqur0EltRI/s1600/APF14_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8S_llSeiZAgmqU9G96UzPagrnhCvxvDzfXpaO-9BwweJnswVuYiM_lXT54xhdi6yki5h1haTaby82FTvpxC_Z5IB-9uTkQf1kHTQGsOoHzFCUvgo0xZjpMgiIJFusDJ-pcypqur0EltRI/s1600/APF14_1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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This picture has Bobby Nash posing with Van and myself. Bobby is a much more accomplished and prolific writer than I'll ever be. In fact, I believe he writes full time. The support and acceptance he's shown this little newbie writer is much appreciated.<br />
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The indie press world, particularly those working together under the New Pulp banner, seem to be a tight-knit and very positive community. It's inspiring to spend time around so many creative people. I plan on interviewing them on this blog, to get word out about their projects and hopefully gain some insight to their process.<br />
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I haven't seen the first reports from Amazon yet, but I know I've sold quite a few copies. I've sold others directly outside of APF. To each of you, again, I most humbly thank you. I truly hope you enjoy it.<br />
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I encourage (plead for) feedback and dialogue. I hope to find readers eager to discuss the story and the characters with me. If you like the book, please let me know. And, if you really want to help, leave a positive review on Amazon... and if you don't like the book, then it is time for quiet contemplation.<br />
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Readers of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Brothers-Keeper-Galahads-Doom-Volume/dp/0692204032/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403402403&sr=8-1&keywords=Galahad%27s+Doom" target="_blank">"My Brother's Keeper"</a> can email me at galengriffon at gmail dot com. I don't want to type the actual address as that will create spam. But I'm easily reached.<br />
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Thanks for reading!<br />
<br />David Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386877023229490695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514165791345272507.post-79144244039662383802014-06-01T21:17:00.002-07:002014-06-01T21:17:22.288-07:00A Debut And An InterviewFirst, Sean Taylor was kind enough to interview me on his blog and allow me to go into a bit more depth about my book. <a href="http://nblo.gs/XiUSy" target="_blank">Please check it out.</a><br />
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Also, I debuted "My Brother's Keeper" this weekend at the Alabama Phoenix Festival. White Rocket Books gave me a bit of real estate on the corner of their table and I enjoyed a moderate but very satisfactory level of sales.<br />
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This included my own brother Nathan dropping in and picking up a copy. I signed it "I am not your keeper!"<br />
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If you are reading this and you were one of the people that bought a copy from me this weekend, I just want to repeat a very heartfelt Thank You. It was truly a pleasure to meet and talk to each one of you and I really hope you'll reach out online and want to talk about the book with me. I look forward to being able to talk about the story with readers (who enjoyed it!).<br />
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I particularly enjoyed participating in the last breakout session of the show for me when I sat in as a panelist for a discussion of "Faith In Fiction". I wasn't originally scheduled to appear as a panelist, but I felt the topic spoke directly to my book and I approached the program director and asked to be added.<br />
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Let's just say it was a wide-ranging discussion with the six panelists providing wildly differing perspectives. And let's just say I'm glad I was present. <br />
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Here I am with White Rocket Books publisher Van Plexico. We're each holding copies of our latest books and they both boast the artwork of Mark Williams. <br /><br />David Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386877023229490695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514165791345272507.post-90588303889778184402014-05-24T20:23:00.003-07:002014-05-24T20:23:57.284-07:00Official AnnouncementThe day finally arrived on May 22, 2014.<br />
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<a href="http://whiterocketbooks.com/galengriffon/index.htm" target="_blank">White Rocket Books officially announced the publication of my novel. </a><br />
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I'm sorry. Give me a moment to try and wrap my brain around that.<br />
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<br />The writing process began in 2007. Most of the story development took place between 1997 and 2001, but some of the characters and concepts go back much further than that.<br />
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For years I toiled away. The prize I always imagined to keep me motivated came on May 22nd. I have an actual, physical book in my hand.<br />
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From 2007 through very early 2011, my job required me to travel quite a bit. Overseas three times, Canada twice and all over the US from Boston to San Diego. This was when I took up writing. I had a lot of time to kill in airports, on airplanes and in hotel rooms. Those are the places this book was written, for the most part.<br />
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Since leaving that job, finding the time to write is more of a challenge. But getting a book to the marketplace and being able to share the story with others does wonders for morale.<br />
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As it happens, on the same day White Rocket announced my book, my first shipment of inventory arrived. My wife Kim and my 8-year-old son Jackson gathered around with me for a ceremonial opening of the box. It was a Life Moment for me that, despite the ceremony, may still have been lost on my family.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgogHV3seoZgKf4htgqs-AaKYELE-n9UynmRvfyIDzk60gesUnyCujFxUcru0s5g_P6WHpGhme7a3g3C2iLc4JZ0UujlWyhDiBQBw1DvHypWeoBYh3lrZPZWYQ07RTgwe8axKf1Z6t9UH/s1600/DSCN0195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgogHV3seoZgKf4htgqs-AaKYELE-n9UynmRvfyIDzk60gesUnyCujFxUcru0s5g_P6WHpGhme7a3g3C2iLc4JZ0UujlWyhDiBQBw1DvHypWeoBYh3lrZPZWYQ07RTgwe8axKf1Z6t9UH/s1600/DSCN0195.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I will be appearing as a guest at the 2014 Alabama Phoenix Festival in Birmingham, Alabama. The show is from May 30th to June 1st. I will be found at the White Rocket Books booth with this box of books on hand as "Galahad's Doom" makes its debut.<br />
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I know the book is already moving. Sales have already started coming in through Amazon. To those that have bought it, THANK YOU. I want to encourage all my readers to talk to me about the book, I look forward to hearing from all of you.<br />
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David Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386877023229490695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514165791345272507.post-14812099300691927112014-05-21T18:00:00.001-07:002014-05-21T18:00:29.646-07:00<div style="text-align: justify;">
Welcome, everyone, to Wrighter's Block. My name is David Wright, author of <i>My Brother's Keeper</i>, Book One of <i>Galahad's Doom</i>. This will be my home base on the web for sharing any news or thoughts about my book and other writings, whether my own work or that of other writers that I enjoy. </div>
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Please follow this blog and get all the updates on my promotional events. I already know I'll be featured in podcasts and interviews on the web here and there and I wouldn't want anyone to miss them.</div>
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First, I'm beyond thrilled to tell you that after having four short stories published by various companies, I now have my first novel, <i>My Brother's Keeper</i>, out there for the whole wide world to read.</div>
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I hope you will and then I really hope you'll want to talk to me about it. I began writing this book seven years ago and the ideas for it go back much further than that. It is with a great sense of personal accomplishment that I watch my book enter the marketplace. I've been living with this story for years and now I'm eager to share it. </div>
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The official announcement is coming soon from <a href="http://www.whiterocketbooks.com/">White Rocket Books</a>, but here's a sneak peak at the cover art and a bit more about the type of story it is.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjefLOl79pt_masUmPeXgFR23HE8F0vpjLQQR0Hpl14uvVmA5NIjTsnZgXT2nbbiROolYu-NHL3N1AM1NyyzyJIXYSHWsY_sHgBVVfxq4d0CUZ-v_YyDoJRMi2CvPpmM3SP-kDKG4OgHM/s1600/The+Real+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjefLOl79pt_masUmPeXgFR23HE8F0vpjLQQR0Hpl14uvVmA5NIjTsnZgXT2nbbiROolYu-NHL3N1AM1NyyzyJIXYSHWsY_sHgBVVfxq4d0CUZ-v_YyDoJRMi2CvPpmM3SP-kDKG4OgHM/s1600/The+Real+Cover.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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What
if Christianity existed in a Swords & Sorcery world alongside
wizards, dragons, elves and monsters? What would people in such a world
think of sorcery? How would the church react to a king whose
chief advisor was suspected of being a wizard? How did Christianity even
reach this world? </div>
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These
were the questions I began asking in 1997 and that I pondered for years
as my story slowly took shape. Just for fun I'd think the stuff over,
making notes and drawing sketches. I know, I can be weird. And I was
single then so I had the time. I'd bounce it off friends of mine and
they helped me brainstorm. My protagonist became a flawed young soldier
that finds himself torn between duty to his king and duty to his god.</div>
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It's
a story of temptation, salvation, desperation, redemption and
forgiveness. It's an exploration of the relationship between church and
state. It's a tale of two brothers on very different paths in their
lives. And it's all set against the familiar backdrop of ancient
prophesies, magic swords and epic warfare.</div>
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In
other words, I'm writing the story just for me! Hopefully, I'll do a
good enough job with it that others will like it, too. I hope Christians
can read it and enjoy it but I also want it to work for a non-Christian
audience, which I really believe it will.</div>
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It
will not read like a contrite Sunday School lesson. It's a Sword &
Sorcery-style quest story that has Christianity in it more than it is a
Christian story with some swords and sorcery in it for window dressing.</div>
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I'm tempted to say it's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Lord of the Rings</span> meets <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Left Behind</span>,
but it's not thematically tied to the book of Revelation. I believe it
truly offers something unique, albeit in a familiar genre setting.</div>
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Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon!</div>
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David Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386877023229490695noreply@blogger.com2